In recent years, natural hair has become more than a trend; it has become a movement. Particularly, women of African descent are encouraged to rock their natural hair. Also, to avoid altering their hair textures with chemicals such as relaxers (which permanently straightens curly hair) and texturizers (which loosens up natural curly hair) and to opt for their unprocessed curls, kinks, waves, or coils. Wearing your natural hair does not mean you always have to sport a powerful afro or have big loose curls. Some hair naturals avoid chemical relaxers but constantly rock weaves or blowouts. Some swear to protective styling such as; Braids and Twists, and many alternate their styles while staying away from chemicals; however, the bottom line is being natural does not mean a restriction to a certain look. The natural hair community has grown extensively. There’s a plethora of YouTube tutorials, blogs, and brands that cater towards every natural’s specific needs no matter the hair texture. The natural community is very diverse, from women who have been natural all their lives; to women who just did a big chop. But even in a community full of support and self-love, it has been hard for some naturals to truly love and embrace their hair.
There has been some hate surrounding the natural community in what I call, “The Battle of the Hair Textures.” Afro textured hair has a deeply rooted history. Centuries of discrimination and oppression have been instilled into the minds of many that people with European features equate to beauty, while the darker the person and the “nappier” their hair the less beautiful they are. With such an encouraging hair movement that is supposed to represent all natural hair types- there’s a big double standard.
One of the more obvious examples is the misrepresentation of many naturals, for many, the thought of ‘curly’ hair is a light-skinned woman with long thick, loose curls. In advertisements, hair brands that usually cater to those with straighter hair are now using models with looser hair curls so as to appeal to women with curly hair. We see this subtle or maybe not so subtle discrimination every day. Women who wear their kinkier natural hair, from big textured afros to long luxurious locs are often seen as “unprofessional”. A woman wearing her hair relaxed may attract a certain group of people while the same woman wearing her natural hair may attract a different group of people – this also applies to black men.
If you only love natural hair when it consists of long, loose, 3b curls, you don’t love natural hair. Bye.
— ✨ في استبدال✨ (@classypleasur) January 27, 2017
However, beyond those discrimination issues, the natural movement has its flaws. For one, women with looser curl types do not face the same issues as women with a coarser, kinkier hair texture. From beauty issues like having to detangle or styling your hair for hours just to define your curls, while for others it takes little manipulation- but that is to be expected. Many hopeful and long-time naturals need to understand that looser curls are not necessarily the epitome of healthy natural hair. There’s no need to waste your money on products that are supposed to “loosen” your curls, because chemically altering your hair is the only way to permanently loosen them – and that, of course, defeats the purpose of becoming natural.
Curls are not that important! If when you wet your hair and it doesn’t curl up let it go. Kinky hair is just as great
— Natural Hair LIT?? (@naturalgirltips) January 5, 2017
No matter if you chose to have a relaxer, weave, protective style, afro, locs, texturizer, etc, you can still rock it. This natural hair movement is not just about not putting chemicals in your hair, it is a way of life.
This movement is to encourage others to wear their natural hair and to embrace it, but that also doesn’t mean for you to put down kinkier hair textures or even putting down people who wear relaxers.
*Intermission to appreciate 4C hair* ya don’t get appreciated enough in the Natural hair community ? pic.twitter.com/A28F4SW30x
— osidosy???? (@Osidosy) January 22, 2017
To the little girl who hates her hair because it is not straight, you are beautiful without straight hair. To the person who has been growing out their locks for years, your dedication is noted and respected. To the woman who is afraid to wear her natural hair out, you are strong and the only opinion that matters is yours. To the kinkier hair textured women, it may seem like you are unrepresented but your community of strong, supportive women is growing and you are never alone. The stigma about “good hair” equating to loose, full curls or even straight hair, and “bad hair” equating to kinkier textured hair or protective styles, has to end before we can truly appreciate and embrace the different natural hair textures and styles from all around the world. However, until then, we have to first accept our own hair textures and ourselves and remember that you’re never alone on your natural hair journey and you will always have support in the natural hair community.
